Can you get MRSA from visiting a patient in the hospital? If so, what are the symptoms?

Answer 1

MRSA rarely, if ever, presents a danger to the general public. This bacterium is usually confined to hospitals and in particular to vulnerable or debilitated patients. These include patients in intensive care units, burns units, surgical and orthopaedic wards. Some nursing homes have experienced problems with this bacterium. MRSA does not pose a risk to the health of hospital staff , unless they are suffering from a debilitating disease, or family members of an affected patient or their close social or work contacts. Therefore the friends or family of such a patient need not take any special precautions and should not be discouraged from normal social contact.

Answer 2

If the patient has MRSA in a wound and that wound is covered, unless you are wrapping the wound and touching the area, no, you shouldn't 'get' MRSA. If it is a respiratory MRSA, you must wear mask, gown and gloves. The nurses on duty should have information to give to you. Remember: Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, hand washing is the most effective way to prevent the spread of disease. Whether you are visiting someone in the hospital or if you are in your local grocery store or restaurant, wash your hands before and after your visit

Answer 3

I have just begun reading about MRSA. I read about a little boy on AOL news. He fell down and scraped his knee. The MRSA he contracted nearly killed him--it was eating hole in his lungs! ACk! poor guy. He lived though.

Anyways, that article discussed how MRSA is now SPREADING outside of the hospital, unlike what the other poster said.

I would say, yes, I think someone could contract it. I did read that it goes to the nose and throat. So, if someones immunity is down, or old or young, than perhaps they could get it.

I also just read an article, (aromatherapy) that said the essential oils of tea tree and that of geranium, has been shown in studies to KILL MRSA. Either in the air, or on a wound like that one little boy had. So, since tea tree is safe to put on the skin undiluted, I bought some for whenever my son gets a scrape.

Or, if you know of anyone who has it, I would reccomend putting the tea tree or geranium up into the air by using a diffuser, either electrical or candle lit. Then, he or she could breath it in safely, and it would get circulated around from being passed from the lungs to the blood.

And, as the saying goes "If you want to get sick, go to the hospital"

(Also, since I am just now getting into the benefits of essential oils, I learned that eucalyptus essential oil is a very powerful disenfectant. Many people use it in their kitchen to kill germs (even the flu!) before people even get sick. Also, since it is natural, germs, bacteria, and viruses CANT become immune to it unlike the anti-bacterial handwashes we buy at the store! Also, essential oils, depending on which ones, can even be antibiotics that viruses and whatnot cant become immune to!)

So I guess I was just wanting to let you know about the things I learned since you seem so worried. I am too. Thats why I have been reading and taking matters into my own hands. Just research online about mrsa and essential oils, antibiotic properties of essential oils. etc. I never knew essential oils were MEDICINAL until this week. I thought it was just for relaxing and smelling good! I was wrong!

sammie

Answer 4

I'm a CNA and have worked with several MRSA patients. We are under contact pecautions which means wear gloves if you touch them. We don't have to wear gowns or masks.
Since this bacterium is already present, you usually have to be sick with something else in order for it to become active.

Answer 5

mrsa is a contact staph infection that is resistant to nearly everything, S&S are redness of skin, pain & swelling, also it will feel warm to touch, be very careful around patients with this & if u think u have it get help immediately & touch noone

Answer 6

you can but unlikely. the symptoms are boils on the arm pits and groins. usually need 2 or 3 at a time. if you think you have it a doctor can do a culture of your nose. it lives in everyone all the time. you only get the symptoms if it colonizes.